So if you have teens that are of driving age then join the club of parents who sit teeth chattering, chanting quietly on the edge of the passenger seat clutching the seat belt and praying to God that they make it out alive.
When we were 16 we just went to drivers ed, got our license and were out on the road with all the other crazies the first day. Gallivanting all over town with our unlicensed friends. But then we turn ‘old’ and have our own little driver. And God help us, all those wonderful memories of our early driving years go completely out the window and we suddenly develop a sense of conscience that we didn’t have back then.
Well I’ve learned a couple things now that I’ve had one get her license and one in the process. First is above all remain calm. It’s really not as bad as it seems. Start out with pulling the car out of the garage and make sure no other cars are in the driveway. (That could be an insurance nightmare)
Second, always always always start out slowly. The best place to take the kid driving is the cemetery of all places! Look at it this way….they can’t kill anyone…everyone is already dead. Plus there are lots of little narrow streets with signs to practice on. We used to go from cemetery to cemetery for months. The worst part early on was letting her drive on the actual main roads from one place to the other. (The goal is to go to the cemetery for a visit, not to stay!)
It took a good couple weeks to let her drive alone after getting her actual license and about 6 months since we stopped insisting she call when she gets there, and when she leaves. We had her program our home phone into her cell under I.C.E. so that police, fire or paramedics could contact us in case she couldn’t. Very scary stuff. Far cry from our parents just letting us go wherever, whenever. But, in their defense, it’s a very different time. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned is that the memories of our own past definitely shape the way we raise our own kids.
Just remember, it’s alright to cry (yes, I mean us parents). And you will. You may also drink a little. It’s very scary to see your life flash before your eyes. Especially when they drive around the corner without tapping on the brake.
Once they are legal (and they will eventually be God help us all) make sure some rules are enforced. Like the number of kids they can have in the vehicle, no cell phone usage while driving, both hands on the wheel, yadda yadda yadda. Our own personal ‘law’ is the requirement that they hold a job to pay for gas and insurance. When the money runs dry I cannot afford to pay for gas for another vehicle. Fortunately Kaylee has held a job for almost 2 years now. I admire her ability to save some money and she admires her ability to spend it.
I suppose it will be fine in the long run. As long as ‘Middle Child’ can find the spot to plug her IPod into and use the navigation to get to the mall… life will be good.